The Disqualification and the Incident
Veteran horse trainer John Leek jnr has been disqualified for three years following an undercover operation by Racing Victoria stewards. The 72-year-old was caught attempting to stomach tube a racehorse, The Storyteller, in a horse float during a transit stop in Terang in July last year. Stomach tubing on race day is strictly prohibited under the rules of racing as a performance-enhancing practice, according to reporting by the Sydney Morning Herald.
The underlying reporting is available from smh.com.au.
Leek initially claimed to stewards that he had stopped the float to urinate, a defense rejected by the Victorian Racing Tribunal. Counsel for the stewards, Amara Hughes, noted the inconsistency in Leek’s account, particularly regarding his claim that the horse was distressed while he attempted to use a twitch—a calming device—to facilitate his own privacy. The tribunal, led by Judge Marilyn Harbison and Dr. Andrew Gould, found Leek guilty, emphasizing that such actions undermine public trust in the sport.
The Impact on Domestic Life
The penalty has triggered significant personal consequences due to the strict rules governing disqualified persons. Under racing regulations, an individual banned from the sport is prohibited from entering any training premises or complex associated with a licensed person. Because Leek’s wife, Andrea, is an active trainer at their shared Nar Nar Goon North property, the disqualification forces him to vacate the premises.
Leek moved out on August 31, seven days after the penalty was finalized. He has now applied to the Racing Victoria board for a special exemption that would allow him to reside at the family home, provided he has no involvement in his wife’s training operations. Andrea Leek stated that relocating their training base is not a viable option after 26 years of development, noting that they would instead seek alternative housing if the exemption is denied.
Stakes for the Stable
The outcome of the exemption application carries stakes for the stability of the Nar Nar Goon North operation. The property currently houses high-profile horses, including the Cox Plate contender Cosmic Crusader, trained by Andrea Leek. While owner Bob Peters declined to comment on the tribunal case, he confirmed his expectation that his horses would continue to be trained at the current facility. The board’s decision is expected to balance the integrity of the racing ban with the humanitarian implications of separating a family from their long-standing home.